Session 1, Week 3
There’s something beautifully disorienting about the start of a new school year – new spaces, new rhythms, new faces. And in a learner-driven environment like CHOICE, “finding our way” doesn’t mean following a map — it means building one together.
In the Spark Studio
If you spent five minutes in the Spark Studio this week, you’d hear a lot of questions — and fewer answers from the guides. Heroes are learning to lean on each other instead of looking to an adult every time they get stuck. Whether it’s opening a snack, finding a material, or solving a disagreement, they’re discovering the power of asking a peer, trying something first, or working together.
One hero lost a special item in the stream, and while a few ran to a guide for help, they didn’t stay there long — just a couple of guiding questions later, they had gathered tools and built their own rescue plan. When several heroes climbed trees and realized the way down wasn’t so simple, others quickly stepped in to guide them back to solid ground. These aren’t just acts of kindness — they’re signs of a culture forming, one where everyone has something to offer.
Another hero made a heartfelt pitch to bring her kitten to school — complete with boundaries for both herself and the studio. The heroes approved the pitch and they all had a lovely time!
Even tough emotions are being explored with courage. One hero noticed they felt sad at the same time every day. After a few honest conversations, they realized it was connected to free-time conflict — and bravely chose to resolve it. These small but powerful moments are showing our Sparks that they’re not just capable of handling challenges — they’re equipped to understand and grow from them.
The Sparks are tuning into the rhythm of the day – learning to match their energy to the moment. They’re calm and reflective during peacetime, yet joyful and noisy during outside time and CHOICE work cycle. One hero whispered to another during a discussion “Shh, sorry, I can’t talk right now,” understanding the importance of listening in that moment.
And the kindness? It’s contagious. One hero brought cookies for the whole studio “just because.”
In every direction, heroes are discovering: we can find our way together!
In the Fire Studio
This week in Quest, we journeyed to the Polynesian Islands, diving deep into the art of navigation. Like Maui in Moana, our heroes explored how ancient sailors relied on stars, sea currents, and the wisdom of their ancestors to find their way through unknown waters. One hero captured the spirit perfectly: “We can be a navigating star to each other.”
This idea of guidance rings true across the studio. Many heroes have shared how confusing and overwhelming these first weeks can feel — new routines, new expectations, and plenty of new vocabulary: Running Partners, Moolah Appeals, Mr. Resistance, and more. But just like Polynesian navigators passed their knowledge forward, so are our heroes. Running Partners and experienced learners are helping newcomers find their bearings — whether it’s how to turn on a computer, type a tricky password, navigate Journey Tracker, or decode the meaning of badges and challenges.
Beyond navigation skills, Fire heroes have been building trust and teamwork through activities like leading blindfolded squads through “seas” in search of “fish,” creating rhythms with Maori sticks, and catching up on earning their Quest badges. These games aren’t just fun — they’re helping heroes develop skills they’ll use for life.
It’s still early days, but we’re already seeing new heroes step into roles as helpers and guides, lighting the way for others as they find their own paths forward.
In the DELTA Studio
We’ve always believed that confusion is a good place to find yourself. It is like being handed a bunch of lead, terrible if you don’t know what to do with it, but wonderful if you know how to turn it into gold. The Earth Science quest has provided plenty of opportunities for the heroes to work through their confusion and come out on the other end enriched. Many of the heroes learned about radiometric dating this week, which can be a tricky thing to understand at first (as with other forms of dating ; ), but is an amazing tool in the field of Earth Science. We also started the unit on Atmosphere and Weather. Several squads have already started preparing for the exhibitions, I hope you parents are getting excited!
New heroes are discovering that public speaking isn’t as scary as they thought, especially when sharing something they care about. From first Deep Book pitches to launching their own You Design Exploratory Works, they’re starting to see that learning feels different when you’re the one choosing the path.
Even in middle school, “finding our way” looks like play. At lunch, heroes continue to teach each other new games, form teams, and dive in — no guide needed. It’s simple, but powerful: learning how to connect, lead, and PLAY together is so important at this age.
The heroes are continually making adjustments in their studio maintenance procedures; learning what hasn’t been working and trying something new. It is always cool to see the heroes helping to keep the school clean with smiles on their faces.
Across all three studios, the early weeks of school are full of moments that feel uncertain, unfamiliar, even overwhelming — and that’s exactly where the growth lives. Our heroes are learning that the path isn’t handed to them. They create it — step by step, question by question. Together, they are finding their way!